EDMOND — Republicans polished their presidential campaign strategy this week with all eyes on the 2012 Republican National Convention culminating in Tampa Bay, Fla.

Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney gained ground in his party’s untiring effort to win the hearts and minds of voters who will cast their ballot on Nov. 6 to elect the U.S. leader of the free world, said Danna Foreman, a member of Edmond Republican Women’s Club.

“I think they were right on message and that they have the pulse of the heart of America,” Foreman said.

Democrats will be able to make their case supporting Obama next Tuesday through Thursday at the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, NC.

“I wish President Obama had succeeded because I want America to succeed, but his promises gave way to disappointment and division,” Romney said in his acceptance speech. “This isn’t something we have to accept. Now is the moment when we can do something. And, with your help we will do something.

“Now is the moment we can step up and say, ‘I am an American. I make my destiny. We deserve better. My children deserve better. My family deserves better. My country deserves better.’”

Romney’s tone and message showed his conviction for changing the direction of the country, Foreman said. Romney’s leadership will help the U.S. get back on track, Foreman said.

Kathy Kaaiohelo, president of Edmond Republican Women, said the Romney campaign is on target with the addition of Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan on the ticket as vice president.

“I’m very proud of the way they’ve conducted the campaign. I’m proud of the success of the convention,” Kaaiohelo said. “And now it’s time for every Republican to hold hands — and let’s go get them.”

Sandra Leaver is encouraging all of her friends nationwide to vote in November. This election will be a history maker or breaker, said Leaver, public relations chairwoman for Edmond Republican Women’s Club.

“The Romney/Ryan team is a boundless duo,” Leaver said. “These candidates show that the promise of opportunity can succeed through personal courage. America is not a dream and was built through perseverance and dedication.”

Oklahoma Congressman James Lankford returned to Edmond Friday, encouraged after hearing both Romney and Ryan make their acceptance speeches.

 Lankford will face Democrat Tom Guild in the Nov. 6 election. Independent candidates, Pat Martin and Robert Murphy are also running for Lankford’s leadership role in Oklahoma’s 5th Congressional District.

“It gave Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan an opportunity to unfilter, just say ‘here’s who I am,’” Lankford said. “Meanwhile, the president’s campaign has focused on demonizing Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan.”

Lankford said he laughs when Democrats ask why they didn’t hear enough specific information on the issues from the Republican candidates.

“I think, ‘Your candidate four years ago ran on the words ‘hope and change’ and refused to define what that change meant,’” Lankford said.

The 2008 Obama campaign was void of specific solutions, Lankford said, and now the Democrats are demanding specific information from Republicans, Lankford said.

“The president won’t even define what he means by fairness, other than ‘I just want wealthy people to pay more taxes,’” Lankford said. “And, people who have less to get some of wealthy people’s money by moving money around.”

Lankford said that Romney’s tough stance on Iran’ nuclear ambitions were clear when he said a Romney administration would not be neutral between the Palestinians and Israelis.

Lankford pointed out that Romney said Israel is clearly the nation’s ally. Obama is more interested in negotiating with warring parties, Lankford said.

“If our ally is Israel, that makes it different with our negotiations,” Lankford said.

Lankford was asked the difference between the Romney’s Medicare plan with that of Ryan’s plan. The Romney plan is slightly different than Ryan’s plan, Lankford said.

“I couldn’t tell you the nuances on the difference, but there are some issues where there are some similarities,” Lankford said. “But there are some issues where there are some dissimilarities. For instance, the opportunity for seniors to have more control of their Medicare choices, which means they need to have some options. Currently they don’t have options other than Medicare Advantage.”

The Affordable Care Act punishes Medicare Advantage programs that provide that option, Lankford said.



FOR MORE information about the 2012 Republican National Convention, www.GOPConvention2012.com.